PUTTING AN END TO WORSHIP WARS - Elmer Towns

While some expository preachers tend to emphasize application more than others, many
view their role as primarily that of communicating content. The application of data to life is
viewed as the work of the Holy Spirit and responsibility of the believer. Likewise, people are
converted as the Holy Spirit draws them to Christ. If Christians are involved in the process of
evangelism, it is assumed that is a ministry accomplished in the community rather than in the
church. Even though many of these churches would claim to be committed to evangelism,
research suggests those converted through the ministries of these churches are usually converted
by church members through personal witness rather than through evangelistic sermons preached
by the pastor. While these men are committed to the gospel and believe people should be saved,
they are unlikely to emphasize and evangelistic appeal unless the gospel was the clear theme of
the passage being studied.
Bible Expositional Churches tend to be most effective among upper-middle class
communities and churches. The often repeated observation that "blue-collar" churches which are
usually found among lower-middle class clientele and lower class groups are more open to
emotional persuasion and stimuli, while upper-class clientele are more responsive to intellectual
stimuli. If this has any validity, then the narrow appeal of the Bible Expositional Church is
another of its weaknesses.
TAPPING INTO THE STRENGTH OF THE BIBLE EXPOSITIONAL
CHURCH
The strength of the Bible Expositional Church is its commitment to the study and
teaching of the Word of God. If God wants His people to engage in Bible study, He wants His
leaders to organize and motivate His people for Bible study. Any church can tap into the strength
of the Bible Expositional Church by having a plan which organizes the Bible teaching and Bible
study ministries of the church. Also, the pastor and others should provide motivation to
encourage people to study the Bible.
Every church should have a variety of Bible study opportunities for adults understanding
that different people will take advantage of different opportunities. Some may prefer to study the
Bible in a traditional age-graded class whereas others would rather belong to a group with
something other than age in common. Still others prefer belonging to a large Auditorium Bible
Class or may wish to study more formally in a church-related Bible Institute class.
Adult education has become a way of life in recent years, and the church needs to take
advantage of this opportunity in providing courses, seminars, lectures, and other Bible study
opportunities for those who wish to study the Scriptures. Many churches have found Bible
studies on such themes as marriage, training children, or financial management have been
sufficiently need-oriented to attract those who might otherwise not be interested in Bible study.
In organizing a variety of Bible study opportunities, some attempt should be made to
coordinate various efforts and gain maximum results. In a larger church, there may be a pastor
responsible for this just as a children's pastor or youth pastor might organize the educational
ministries of the age group for which they are responsible. In a smaller church, this can be